CARLYLE, Ill. — The Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Outreach Program, Tuesday, on Carlyle Lake.

Thirty-four students from Madison Accelerated High School, traveled to Carlyle Lake to try their hand at fishing, canoeing, boating, and geocaching as a culmination to this year’s STEM Outreach Program hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River.

The students also learned critical survival skills and the do’s and don’ts of exercise and fitness. For many of the students, the day marked their first time experiencing several of the events.

“The excitement the students brought to our STEM events this year has been amazing,” said Chief Warrant Officer Brandon Hansen, inspector for Sector UMR. “It was a great way to end the year with new and exciting activities for them.”

The students have participated in the joint outreach program for the last eight months, welcoming members from the Corps and Coast Guard into the classroom to lead hands-on activities that enhanced the science, engineering and math concepts specific to school’s geographic location.

Located in the Metro East, the school’s close proximity to the Mississippi River, the third largest watershed in the world, made the federal partnership’s mission dual-fold.

Partners on the river, the two organizations also worked to educate the students on the importance of sustaining the watershed and the navigation channel, which brings more than 58 million tons of cargo between Minneapolis-St. Paul and St. Louis every year.

Through the outreach program, the students had the opportunity to build and better understand structures such as levees, river training structures, watercraft and building designs, and understand the concepts of buoyancy, environmental stewardship, naval architecture and mechanical engineering. The students also toured the Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team, response boats house, and the Corps’ Applied River Engineering Center and Melvin Price Lock and Dam.

Educating students in STEM-related concepts and career fields is a passion held by both the Corps and Coast Guard commanders.

“As an engineer, I know how important science, technology, engineering and math are to the development of our country,” Col. Chris Hall, St. Louis District commander, said. “They are critical to our future.”

For more information contact Colin Fogarty with the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River at 314-269-2546.

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ST. LOUIS — Coast Guard crewmembers hosted 900 students from Mascoutah Middle and Elementary schools as the students toured and interacted with their MH-65C Dolphin helicopter and 25-foot Response Boat - Small, Wednesday.

The Coast Guard displayed the response boat and the helicopter to students from kindergarten to eighth grade to help them better understand the many important roles of the Coast Guard. The children were able to interact with the crews of each asset and ask questions about the Coast Guard and their missions while taking turns sitting in the pilot seat and on the bow of the boat.

The Dolphin helicopter crew, based out of Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans, are flying preplanned standard operations in conjunction with boat forces from Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River.

Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River is the largest Coast Guard sector in the lower 48 states with an area of responsibility comprised of 11 states and 2,000 miles of commercially navigable waterways which constitute the upper portion of the Mississippi River, the Illinois River, the Missouri River, and their tributaries. The waterway systems include over 33 locks and dams, 238 bridges and seven major population centers. The sector is staffed by more than 277 active duty, Reserve, and civilian personnel and has a variety of unique assets including five cutters and three marine safety detachments.

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NEW ORLEANS — A group of 120 students toured a Coast Guard tall ship, Thursday, in support of Operation Sail 2012 and the celebration of the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812 in downtown.

Audubon Charter School students received tours from Coast Guard officer candidates who spent the last two weeks training aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, a 295-foot barque homeported in New London, Conn., as they sailed here from their homeport.

"It was fun and exciting because I learned about something I didn't know about," said Fernando Harris, an 8th grade student at Audubon Charter School.

The officer candidates showed the students around the ship where they learned about life aboard the Eagle, some basic seamanship knowledge and the vast history of the ship.

"It was great to have them aboard," said Shelby Via, an officer candidate aboard the Eagle. "They were very engaging and seemed genuinely interested in the Coast Guard. I was glad to be here to serve as a positive role model to the students."

NEW ORLEANS — A Coast Guard member preps a fence for painting outside the Raintree Children and Family Services Center, April 19, 2012. The refurbishing of the fence was one of a few community projects the Coast Guard assisted with during the NOLA Navy Week. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

NEW ORLEANS — Coast Guard Officer Candidate David Schneider preps a fence for painting outside the Raintree Children and Family Services Center, April 19, 2012. The refurbishing of the fence was one of a few community projects the Coast Guard assisted with during the NOLA Navy Week. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

NEW ORLEANS — A group of crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle helped a charitable organization in the New Orleans area, Thursday.

A contingent of Coast Guard officer candidates and officers from the National Oceananic and Atmospheric Administration came together for a community service project in coordination with NOLA Navy Week. The crewmembers provided landscaping and minor repairs around the Raintree Children and Family Services Center, which serves as a home for abused or neglected teenage girls.

New Orleans is serving as the inaugural city in a three-year national celebration commemorating the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. In each of the port cities, ships will be open for public visiting, and citizens will have the opportunity to interact with sailors from around the world.

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NEW ORLEANS — Capt. Eric Jones, the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, walks into Gallier Hall in New Orleans for the mayoral welcome, April 18, 2012. The mayoral welcome is to welcome the commanding officers of the cutters that pulled into the Port of New Orleans and to kick off the NOLA Navy Week's events. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandyn Hill.

NEW ORLEANS — Capt. Eric Jones, the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, walks back to his seat after accepting a gift from Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the first lady at the mayoral welcome, April 18, 2012. The mayoral welcome is to welcome the commanding officers of the cutters that pulled into the Port of New Orleans and to kick off the NOLA Navy Week's events. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandyn Hill.

NEW ORLEANS — Mark Romig, the chief executive officer of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, addresses the audience at the New Orleans mayoral welcome in Gallier Hall, April 18, 2012. The mayoral welcome is to welcome the commanding officers of the cutters that pulled into the Port of New Orleans and to kick off the NOLA Navy Week's events. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandyn Hill.

NEW ORLEANS — Vice Adm. Robert Parker (right), commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, chats with Lt. Gen. Steven Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, at the conclusion of a mayoral welcome for participants and guests of NOLA Navy Week at Gallier Hall, April 18, 2012. Parker, the commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District and the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Barque Eagle attended the event for the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Bill Colclough.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard attended the mayoral welcome for the start of NOLA Navy Week, Wednesday, at Gallier Hall in downtown.

Both commanders of Coast Guard Atlantic Area and the Eighth Coast Guard District along with the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Barque Eagle attended with other commanding officers of the U.S. Navy and various foreign navies.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Jacqueline Brechtel Clarkson, president of the New Orleans City Council, presented awards to the commanding officers of each of the ships participating in the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812.

"We are delighted to be here with the Coast Guard and the city of New Orleans for the celebration of the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812," said Vice Adm. Robert Parker, commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area. "Just like the Navy and the other sea services, we learned a lot during that conflict, as we have great relevance to our national defense, especially the port security missions that ramped up after September 11." 

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard Cutter Eagle and crew pull into New Orleans to kick off the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration, April 17, 2012. The Eagle is a 295-foot barque homeported in New London, Conn. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandyn Hill.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard Cutter Eagle arrives to the Bienville Wharf for the start of NOLA Navy Week in downtown, April 17, 2012. The Eagle, a 295-foot training vessel homeported in New London, Conn., is scheduled to participate in the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Bil Colclough.

NEW ORLEANS — Seaman Larry Hill, a member of Coast Guard Base Support Unit New Orleans, awaits the arrival of the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle to Bienville Wharf for the start of NOLA Navy Week in downtown, April 17, 2012. The Eagle and seven foreign-flagged tall ships are scheduled to participate in the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Bil Colclough.

NEW ORLEANS — Crewmembers and trainees aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle man the helm as the Coast Guard Barque Eagle pulls into New Orleans to kick off the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration, April 17, 2012. The Eagle is a 295-foot barque homeported in New London, Conn. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandyn Hill.

NEW ORLEANS — Members of Coast Guard Base Support Unit New Orleans tend the mooring lines of the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle as the training vessel and its crew arrive to Bienville Wharf for the start of NOLA Navy Week in downtown, April 17, 2012. The Eagle and seven foreign-flagged tall ships are scheduled to participate in the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Bil Colclough.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard Cutter Eagle arrived, Tuesday, for the NOLA Navy Week commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 at the Bienville Wharf in downtown.

The Eagle, a 295-foot barque homeported in New London, Conn., is a sailing vessel used by the U.S. Coast Guard Academy to train cadets in navigation, engineering and leadership.

Barque Eagle and its crew will participate in the NOLA Navy Week events at the Bienville Street Pier, including accomodating public tours, beginning Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m.

Tours of the Eagle and an air show on Lake Pontchartrain will serve as the centerpiece of the commemoration events.

Participants will include the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Events will also include activities such as receptions, military band concerts, tours and military demonstrations. Seven tall ships have confirmed their participation from Brazil, France, Colombia, Ecuador, Indoneisa, Mexico and Spain.

"The officers and crew of Barque Eagle are absolutely thrilled to be here in New Orleans on the occasion of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812," said Capt. Eric Jones, commanding officer of the Eagle. "It's absolutely fitting that Eagle comes here to celebrate in this city that was so crucial in America's victory in the War of 1812. The chance for us to bring trainees here and to see this historic waterway is a unique opportunity and we couldn't be more honored to be celebrating with all the people of New Orleans."

Originally operated by Nazi Germany to train cadets for the German Navy, the ship was taken by the United States as a war prize after World War II. In 1946, a U.S. Coast Guard crew, aided by the German crew still aboard, sailed the tall ship from Bremerhaven to its new homeport in New London, Conn.

The Eagle will leave Friday and head to Jacksonville, Fla., for further participation in the bicentennial events.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER — A Coast Guard aircraft delivered a replacement saltwater pump for the Coast Guard Barque Eagle's crew to effect repairs on a square-rigger's main diesel engine, Sunday.

Engineers aboard the Eagle, a 295-foot barque homeported in New London, Conn., noticed minor leakage from the saltwater pump Thursday through the course of hourly rounds of the ship's engineering spaces.

The leakage continued to worsen throughout the day and a replacement pump was ordered while the Eagle remained at anchor off Key West, Fla. A 33-foot Special Purpose Craft - Law Enforcement boat crew delivered a replacement pump Friday evening and engineers worked through the night to affect repairs to the ship's engine, though the part did not fit properly.

Another pump was placed on order as the engineers made temporary repairs in order to arrive on time to kick off the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration. Once the part arrived in Key West, the air crew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami, Fla., flew to Key West to retrieve the pump and delivered it to the Gulf of Mexico where the crew airdropped the part to an awaiting small boat crew deployed from the Eagle.

The Eagle's small boat crew recovered the pump from the ocean and brought it back to the ship, where the waiting engineering department was able to replace the pump so the ship could continue its voyage.

The cutter is set to arrive in New Orleans Tuesday afternoon as scheduled.

To follow the Eagle’s summer cruise, visit the ship’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CoastGuardCutterEagle.

MARRERO, La. — Pictured here is an overflight assessment of the site of the sunken towing vessel Altro Donna, April 6, 2012. The Altro Donna reportedly had a tank onboard with an estimated 11,500 gallons of diesel fuel and 52 gallons of lube oil when it allided with a piling and sank earlier that morning. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

MARRERO, La. — Crews load an additional 400 feet of boom to a response vessel at the site the sunken towing vessel Altro Donna, April 6, 2012. The Altro Donna reportedly had a tank onboard with an estimated 11,500 gallons of diesel fuel and 52 gallons of lube oil when it allided with a piling and sank earlier that morning. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Elizabeth H. Bordelon.

MARRERO, La. — Crews load an additional 400 feet of boom to a response vessel at the site the sunken towing vessel Altro Donna, April 6, 2012. The Altro Donna reportedly had a tank onboard with an estimated 11,500 gallons of diesel fuel and 52 gallons of lube oil when it allided with a piling and sank earlier that morning. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Elizabeth H. Bordelon.

MARRERO, La. — A Coast Guard 45-foot response boat and crew transport members of the Unified Command for a visit to the site of the sunken towing vessel Altro Donna, April 6, 2012. The unified command consists of the Coast Guard, the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and the Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs to oversee cleanup operations and mitigate potential damage to the environment. The Altro Donna reportedly had a tank onboard with an estimated 11,500 gallons of diesel fuel and 52 gallons of lube oil when it allided with a piling and sank earlier that morning. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Elizabeth H. Bordelon.

NEW ORLEANS — A unified command has been established in response to a report of a vessel that sank, Friday, following an allision with a piling near Commodore Dock in Marrero.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector New Orleans command center received notification at 12:10 a.m., reporting that the uninspected towing vessel, Altro Donna with three crewmembers aboard, while transiting downbound pushing eight empty red-flag barges, allided with a piling and sank at Commodore Dock. The Altro Donna reportedly had a tank onboard with an estimated 11,500 gallons of diesel fuel and 52 gallons of lube oil.

All three crewmembers disembarked safely before the vessel sank.

Currently on scene are five pollution responders from Sector New Orleans and five response personnel from ES & H, as well as one 26-foot response boat from ES & H.

The unified command consists of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and the Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs to oversee cleanup operations and mitigate potential damage to the environment.

"The unified command is working with stakeholders to mitigate pollution impacts, prevent additional pollution and mount a safe and effective salvage of the sunken vessel," said Cmdr. Russ Bowen, federal incident commander.

No injuries were reported.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.

MOBILE, Ala. — Crewmembers from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile take Calvin Moret on a tour of their facility, March 29, 2012. Moret, a Tuskegee airmen, came to ATC to speak about his history with the historic fighter group and to share his personal experiences. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

MOBILE, Ala. — Calvin Moret figures out the controls to one of Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile's high-tech flight simulators, March 29, 2012. Moret, a Tuskegee airmen, came to ATC to speak about his history with the historic fighter group and to share his personal experiences. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

MOBILE, Ala. — Crewmembers from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile pose for a picture with Calvin Moret (center right) in front of an HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft, March 29, 2012. Moret, a Tuskegee airmen, came to ATC to speak about his history with the historic fighter group and to share his personal experiences. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen Lehmann.

MOBILE, Ala. — Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile played host to one of the last surviving Tuskegee airmen, Thursday, during a brief visit to the unit where he spoke to the crewmembers and trainees who are stationed there.

Before his tour, Calvin Moret was treated to a tour of the facility that included in-depth descriptions of each of the different airframes that the training center utilizes. Moret was also allowed to pilot one of the high-tech flight simulators that are unique to ATC.

After his address to the Coast Guardsmen of the training center, Moret was taken on an area flight in an HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft.